R R Patil rejects opposition's demand for minister's resignation

Published: Tuesday, April 1, 2008, 19:05 [IST]

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Mumbai, Apr 1 (UNI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil today categorically rejected in the State Assemby the demand for the resignation of Minister of State for Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS), Rana Jagjitsingh Patil, for his name figuring in the narco analysis test of accused Tanaji Patil in the Pawanraje Nimbalkar murder case, leading to a walkout by the BJP and Shiv Sena members.

Leader of the opposition Ramdas Kadam and BJP leader Eknath Khadse, who raised the issue, referred to a news reported by a Television channel stating that the names of former cabinet minister Dr Padmsingh Patil; his son and minister of state for EGS Rana Jagjitsingh Patil figured in the narco analysis of the accused, in the murder that took place three years ago.

Making a statement, Mr Patil said, during the narco analysis test, accused Tanaji Patil did mention the names of Dr Patil, Rana Jagjitsingh patil, and the associates of Chota Rajan D K Rao and VK Malhotra. However, there was contradiction in the statement of the accused as he also mentioned that such rumours had floated in his town about the murder.

Mr Patil said Malhotra and Rao were in jail at the time of murder and wondered how one could commit murders while in jail. His statement was countered by Mr Khadse who said movies have depicted murders committed by convicts in jails and demanded CBI inquiry.

Mr Kadam said scam accused Abdul Karim Telgi was also said to be in jail but in reality he was somewhere else.

Mr Patil said the matter was before the high court and the government will act upon its verdict.

Protesting against the government's stand on the issue the opposition members staged a walk out.